Academic libraries now hire an increasing number of individuals to fill professional librarian positions who do not have the master's degree in library science. Academic libraries are also creating a wide range of new professional assignments that demand diverse educational backgrounds. Additionally, responsibilities formerly carried out by…

Librarianship is not a profession. Most librarians fail to meet, for want of substantive knowledge, the three measures of professional functions. Most librarians are and will be advanced technicians until library education is considerably improved. (23 references) (Author)

It is time for librarians to discard the blind alley of professionalism and agree among themselves to shift gears and change directions. This will divert the librarians' energies to the process of developing better service and satisfaction for all users. (Author/NH)

Provides a brief history of the life of Melvil Dewey, describing his many accomplishments in several diversified areas. Fourteen references are listed. (CHC)

This paper discusses the rationale for faculty rank, status, and tenure for librarians at the College of Charleston. A brief historical overview of the profession of librarianship traces the evolution of the function of the today's librarian as a participant in the processes of teaching and research. Standards for academic status are given, as…

Librarians can now perform functions justifying full academic status by providing crucially needed bibliographic and information services. Obstacles of bureaucratic orientation and lack of quality library education must be overcome. (JS)

Traces the major developments in libraries from ancient times and concludes that another major development is overdue--the establishment of an organized body of scientific principles as a foundation for the study of librarianship as an intellectual discipline at first-degree level, for the development of pure and applied research, and for the…

This essay on the issue of qualifications for librarianship highlights debate over the Master of Library Science (MLS) as legitimate academic credential or minimum qualification, use of the MLS, change and new directions that are transforming field of librarianship, nonlibrarian specialists, and professional role and behavior. Ten sources are…

American library schools are confronted by the problems of declining enrollment, changing modern technologies, and a shrinking market for their graduates. The extension of courses to include information science is a welcome direction, although it seems to reflect a lack of confidence in the traditional library science education. For librarianship…

In an effort to help overcome present deficiencies in African university libraries, the author proposes improved training for librarians, recognition of the librarians' professional status, subject specialization, continuing education for academic librarians, and improved library organization. (LS)

Examines performance of library profession in Zambia in the context of the criteria of professionalism. Highlights include contribution of librarians to the growth of library profession in Zambia; belonging to a professional association (Zambian Library Association); library education; service-orientation to society; publications of the…

Reviews historical development, organization, and current concerns of health sciences librarians who serve in mental health institutions, agencies, and organizations. The mental health field, mental health libraries, education and training, professional status and standards, professional organizations, the library collection, and library…

Links the origin, decline, and renaissance of bibliographic instruction to the increasing specialization and democratization of education and reviews the history of the academic library and the role of the academic librarian in American higher education. The value of concept-oriented bibliographic instruction is stressed. Included are 18…

Examines roles of women in library education in three time periods: 1887-1923, 1924-1950, 1951-1985. Topics discussed include missionaries and mentors, library school founders, institutions offering graduate library schools, advanced degrees and publishing activity of women, women faculty, North American library school deans, and women presidents…